After a very brief two years I have arrived at my final ‘Cocktail Sunday’ as Commodore.. I’ve had a great time and I hope you have enjoyed the Club as much as I have. I have been very lucky to have had such a dedicated team covering all aspects of Club life and am deeply grateful to everyone who has helped me along the way. The Essex Yacht Club is a wonderful institution where it has been an absolute privilege to have flown the Commodores burgee and so I hope you will find time tomorrow to join me aboard the Wilton for a cocktail and my last 100 Club draw!

With festivities well and truly behind us the priority for the Club and its Officers now is to prepare for the new season which will undoubtedly be upon us as quickly as the last one left us. As you will know the Club has come another full circle and I am happy that we spent 2016 fulfilling the EYC’s original intentions ‘To provide high quality sailing and social facilities of a high standard’ and I am personally deeply grateful to all the members who have worked so hard to make this possible.

Originally founded in 1890, and situated about a quarter of a mile east of picturesque Leigh Old Town, the Essex Yacht Club is a family club and is particularly proud of its Cadet section, with over 100 cadets. It’s unique feature is its headquarters – a ship. HQS Wilton is a conversion of the first ever glassfibre warship, the Mine Hunter HMS Wilton. An extensive sailing program runs from Easter to October, with races and events that cater for beginners in Optimists through to high performance dinghies and Cruisers. Members can store their boats on Club moorings or our own boat racks, adjacent to the club. There are numerous social events throughout the year, from formal dinners to summer barbeques, providing entertainment for sailing and non-sailing members.